When Baseball America released its top 100 prospects list Wednesday, Konnor Griffin had only strengthened his status as the No. 1 prospect in the game with “an iron grip.”

The 6-foot-4, 225-pound shortstop, who shined at three minor league levels, is one of three teenagers and four players in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ system to be featured in Baseball America’s preseason rankings.

Griffin is joined by 23-year-old right-handed pitcher Bubba Chandler (No. 15) and a pair of fellow 19-year-olds in outfielder Edward Florentino (No. 28) and right-hander Seth Hernandez (No. 38).

After being selected ninth overall out of Jackson Prep in 2024, Griffin ascended to the top billing during his first professional season. He flashed his five-tool talent by batting .333/.415/.527 with 23 doubles, four triples, 21 home runs, 94 RBIs and 117 runs scored while also stealing 65 bases while rising from Low-A Bradenton to High-A Greensboro before finishing the season at Double-A Altoona.

“The Mississippi native improved his hit tool in his first full season without sacrificing even a smidgen of his standout athleticism,” Baseball America wrote. “He has the look of a generational talent.”

Griffin won a MiLB Gold Glove for his defense, and Baseball America named Griffin its minor league player of the year. He also earned the Honus Wagner player of the year and Bill Mazeroski defender of the year awards in the Pirates’ system

Now, Griffin is considered the consensus top prospect in baseball — MLB Pipeline will release its updated top 100 rankings on Friday — and has drawn comparisons to Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., a two-time All-Star who has won two Gold Gloves, a Platinum Glove, two Silver Slugger awards and the 2024 AL batting crown.

Using Baseball Reference’s Wins Above Replacement metric, Baseball America reported that 16 of its No. 1 prospects from 1990-2019 recorded a WAR of 25 or higher, with six eclipsing the elite 50-plus WAR.

“It will be a disappointment if he’s not a 10-year, big league veteran starter, the 25-, 30-, 40-WAR player,” Baseball America editor-in-chief J.J. Cooper said on the Foul Territory podcast. “If you look at where Konnor Griffin is right now, I’m not going to tell you that he’s going to be Bobby Witt Jr. But it is that kind of development path we’re seeing. Let’s just say that he’s 75% of Bobby Witt Jr., that would still be one of the better players in the major leagues.”

Chandler was ranked as one of the top right-handers in the minors last season before making his major league debut last August. He was 4-1 with a 4.02 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 31 strikeouts against four walks in 31 1/3 innings over seven appearances, including four starts.

“The Pirates’ pitching depth is as rich as any team, and Chandler fits nicely into a rotation headed by uber-ace Paul Skenes,” Baseball America wrote. “There are still a few edges to sand down, but Chandler’s massive potential is slowly turning into reality.”

Florentino, signed out of the Dominican Republic for $395,000 in January 2024, followed a strong showing in the Florida Complex League by starring at Bradenton. The 6-4, 200-pound left-handed hitter batted .262/.380/.503 with 17 doubles, 10 home runs, 36 RBIs and 29 stolen bases in 54 games for Bradenton in his first full pro season.

“Konnor Griffin wasn’t the only teenage hitting prospect to emerge for the Pirates in 2025,” Baseball America wrote. “Florentino shows plus power to go with a plus hit tool. He swiped bases as well, but now he needs to improve his outfield defense.”

The 6-4, 200-pound Hernandez was the first prep pitcher selected as the No. 6 pick of the 2025 MLB Draft last July, thanks to a fastball that sits at 97-98 mph and earned a 70 grade on the 20-80 scouting scale.

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“Hernandez stood out in the high school draft class for the ease with which he could sit in the upper 90s and touch triple digits,” Baseball America wrote. “He has tree trunks for legs and present physicality that should help ease his transition to pro ball.”